System method and device for leak detection and localization in a pipe network

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a system for leak detection of a fluid in a pipe network. The system includes flow meters, and vibration detectors adapted to be attached to a pipe at a location in the pipe network. A processor analyzes signals generated by the flow meters and vibration detectors to identify the presence of one or more leaks in the pipe network. The invention also provides a method for detecting and localizing leaks in a pipeline network, and a device comprising a flow meter integral with a vibration detector for use in the system of the invention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/830,920, filed Jul. 6, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/281,199, filed Nov. 16, 2009, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/293,721, filed Nov. 11, 2010, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties into the present disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to systems, methods and devices for leakdetection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic automatic meter reading (AMR) devices are used for flowmetering in a pipeline. These devices typically use an electronic unitattached to a conventional magneto-mechanical or electronic flow meter,for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,940,976 and 6,611,769.Magneto-mechanical flow meters typically measure integrative waterconsumption by means of a mechanical gear. The accumulated liquidconsumption is read by opto-electronic circuits, or by piezo-electricpick up of the gear rotation, which are usually packed in a drysection-register. In electronic meters, a magnetic sensor monitors theliquid meter rotor revolutions and generates an electrical signalindicative of the water flow. The sensor may be based, for example, onan inductive coil, a Hall effect sensor, or a magnetoresistive device.Some devices use optical pick-up systems to read the revolution of themagnetically driven revolutions of the rotor. The consumption and/orrate data is measured at various times and the data is transmitted to acentral server typically via an RF link. AMR systems can also performmass balance calculations by registering input and output flow atdifferent locations in a pipe network. However, the AMR systems cannotdetect leaks in pipes that are below their measurement threshold. AMRsystems also cannot detect leaks that are less than 1% of the nominalflow in the distribution pipes nor locate the leak as the mass balanceis done over a relatively large pipe network. Recently ultrasonic flowmeters have been introduced that are based on sound velocity or Dopplerphase shift measurements.

Several leak detection system and methods are known, such as vibrationdata loggers and correlators that measure pipe vibrations that aregenerated by the characteristic flow turbulence caused by a leak. Thisleakage detection is mostly based on vibration energy measurements andlocating points where the vibration energy exceeds a particularthreshold. A leak detection system based on vibration sensing isdisclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,596,458.

Vibration data loggers include a vibration sensor such as a piezoelement that is attached to a pipe element. The data logger isprogrammed to measure vibrations at certain times mostly at night whenthe flow is minimal. The signal processing of the logger calculates thevibrational energy at several locations of the pipe network, stores thecalculated energies in a memory, and transmits the calculated energiesto a processing station for leak detection using correlation analysis.Correlation analysis requires synchronization of the clocks of thesensors, and any drift in the clocks can adversely affect the accuracyof leak location.

The accuracy of the leak detection is increased with increasing numberof sensors distributed over the pipeline network. A high density of thesensors provides high resolution and improved detection probability butincreases the cost of the system. Nonetheless, existing noise loggersare very sensitive to artifacts due to noise generated by waterconsumption flow rather than leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its first aspect, the present invention provides a system for leakdetection and location in a pipe network. The system of the inventioncomprises two or more flow meters and a two or more vibration detectors.Each flow meter and vibration detector is provided with a microprocessorand a transceiver that allows each flow meter and vibration detector totransmit data to a service center over a communication network and, insome embodiments, also to receive data from the service center Theservice center processes data received from the flow meters andvibration detectors and analyzes the data for the detection of a leak inthe pipe network, as explained below. When a leak is detected in thepipeline, the service center issues an alert. The alert may display on amap of the pipe network the location of any detected leaks.

In one embodiment, each of one or more of the flow meters is integratedwith a vibration detector in an integrated unit.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for processingsignals generated by the flow meters and vibration detects for detectionand location of leaks in the pipe network. In accordance with thisaspect of the invention, the processing uses flow data obtained from theflow meters to reduce vibration measurement artifacts. In oneembodiment, vibration detection is performed essentially simultaneouslywith flow metering. As explained below, this allows vibrations due to aninappropriate leak to be distinguished from vibrations due to the flowof fluid that occurs during normal consumption.

In another of its aspects, the invention provides an integrated devicecomprising a flow meter and a vibration detector that may be used in thesystem of the invention. The integrated device comprises a wet chamberthrough which a fluid flows and is metered, and a dry chamber containinga vibration detector.

Thus, in one of its aspects, the invention provides a system for leakdetection of a fluid in a pipe network comprising:

-   -   (a) two or more flow meters adapted to be installed on a pipe at        a location in the pipe network, each flow meter generating a        signal indicative of a flow rate of the signal at the location        of the flow meter;    -   (b) two or more vibration detectors adapted to be attached to a        pipe at a location in the pipe network, each vibration detector        generating a signal indicative of vibrations in the pipe at the        location of the vibration sensor; and    -   (c) a processor configured to analyze the signals generated by        one or more of the flow meters and one or more of the vibration        detectors to identify the presence of one or more leaks in the        pipe network.

The flow meters and vibrations detectors may communicate with theprocessor over a communication network, and each flow meter and eachvibration detector may comprise a transceiver for communicating with theprocessor over the communication network. The processor may be furtherconfigured to generate an alert when a leak is detected. The system maycomprise a display device, and generating an alert may comprisesindicating a location of a leak in the pipeline network on a map of thenetwork displayed on a display device. At least one flow meter may beintegral with a vibration detector. The vibration detectors may be of atype selected from an accelerometer, a strain-gage or hydrophone.

In another of its aspects, the invention provides a method for detectingand localizing leaks in a pipeline network comprising:

-   -   (a) monitoring vibration signals generated by vibration        detectors deployed at two or more locations in the network;    -   (b) determining whether there are any significant flow rates in        the pipeline;    -   (c) if no significant flows are detected in the pipeline,        executing a leak detection algorithm on the vibration signals to        locate leaks in the pipeline; and    -   (d) issuing an alert when a leak has been located in the        pipeline.

The method of the invention may comprise steps of:

-   -   (a) monitoring vibration signals generated by vibration        detectors deployed at two or more locations in the network;    -   (b) analyzing the vibration signals to determine whether any of        the vibration signals are indicative of exceptional vibrations        in the network;    -   (c) when exceptional vibration signals are detected, monitoring        signals generated by vibration detectors deployed at two or more        locations in the network and flow meters deployed at two or more        locations in the network;    -   (d) determining whether there are any significant flow rates in        the pipeline;    -   (e) if no significant flows are detected in the pipeline,        executing a leak detection algorithm on the vibration signals to        locate leaks in the pipeline; and    -   (f) issuing an alert when a leak has been located in the        pipeline.

In the method of the invention, an exceptional vibration may be avibration whose amplitude or power exceeds a predetermined threshold, ora vibration whose amplitude or power has increased over a recent timeperiod by a predetermined factor. The vibration signals may be monitoredperiodically. A trigger for monitoring the flow signals and thevibration signals may originate from a central server, from an externalclock, or from a roaming vehicle. The leak detection and locationalgorithm may be based on the arrival times of vibrations at thevibration detectors, the pipe network configuration, and the speed ofpropagation of the vibrations. The leak detection and location algorithmmay comprise calculation of a cross-spectrum or correlation of pairs ofsignals and identifying an optimal filter corresponding to maxima ofcoherence of the two signals.

In another of its aspects, the invention provides a device comprising aflow meter integral with a vibration detector. The flow meter maycontained in a wet chamber, and the vibration detector may be coupled tothe wet chamber. The vibration detector may comprise a piezo membraneplaced at the bottom of the dry chamber. The device of the invention mayfurther comprise a transceiver configured to transmit signals to aremote processor. The transceiver may also be configured to receivesignals from the remote processor. The wet chamber may be separated fromthe dry chamber by a surface having the shape of a truncated cone andwherein a space between the wet chamber and the dry chamber contains anacoustically coupling material. The vibration detector may comprise apiezo membrane having an annular shape. The device may comprises anultrasound transducer having a first mode in which the ultrasoundtransducer serves as the flow meter and a second mode of operation inwhich the ultrasound transducer servers as the vibration detector. Theultrasound transducer in the first mode of operation may measuretransmitted ultrasound waves for phase shift or frequency shift. Theultrasound transducer in the second mode of operation may measure lowfrequencies related to acoustic waves generated in a water network. Thedevice may be configured to detect malfunctions in the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carriedout in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way ofnon-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 a shows a system for leak detection and location in a pipelinenetwork in accordance with one embodiment of the invention havingseparate flow meters and vibration detectors, and FIG. 1 b shows asystem for leak detection and location in a pipeline network inaccordance with a second embodiment of the invention having integratedflow meters and vibration detector;

FIG. 2 shows the system of FIG. 1 b deployed on a pipeline network;

FIG. 3 a shows a flow chart for a method of leak detection and locationin accordance with one embodiment of the invention, and; FIG. 3 b showsa flow chart for a method of leak detection and location in accordancewith a second embodiment of the invention

FIG. 4 shows an integrated flow meter and vibration detector inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an integrated flow meter and vibration detector inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 a shows a vibration signal detected by an independent vibrationdetector mounted on a metal pipe, FIG. 6 b shows a vibration signalmeasured simultaneously on the same metal pipe by a vibration detectorin an integral device comprising the vibration detector and a flowmeter; and FIG. 6 c shows the Fourier transform of the signals of FIGS.6 a and 6 b; and

FIG. 7 a shows a vibration signal detected by an independent vibrationdetector mounted on a metal pipe, FIG. 7 b shows a vibration signalmeasured simultaneously on the same metal pipe by a vibration detectorin an integral device comprising the vibration detector and a flowmeter; and FIG. 7 c shows the Fourier transform of the signals of FIGS.7 a and 7 b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 a shows a system 2 for leak detection in a pipe network, inaccordance with one embodiment of this aspect of the invention. Thesystem 2 comprises two or more flow meters 4 and a plurality ofvibration detectors 6. Three flow meters 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c, and threevibration detectors 6 a, 6 b, and 6 c, are shown in FIG. 1. This is byway of example only, and the system of the invention may be implementedusing any number of flow meters that is at least two, and any number ofvibration detectors that is at least two. The number of flow meters maybe less than, equal to or greater than the number of vibrationdetectors. The flow meters may be any flow meter known in the art. Eachflow meter has a flow inlet 8 and a flow outlet 10 that allows the flowmeter to be installed on a flow line at a location in the pipe network.The vibration meters 6 may be any type of vibration detector known inthe art, such as an accelerometer, strain-gage or hydrophone typesensor. The hydrophone tends to be more suitable for plastic pipesproviding better performance than the accelerometer. Each vibrationmeter 6 is adapted to be attached to a pipe in the pipe network. Thetypical vibration frequencies are in the range of 1-100 Hz for plasticpipes and 500-2000 Hz for metal pipes.

Each flow meter 4 is provided with microprocessor 13 and a transceiver12 that allows each flow meter to transmit data to a server 16 over acommunication network indicated by the cloud 14 and further allows theflow meter to receive data from the server 16. Similarly, each vibrationdetector 6 is provided with a microprocessor 5 and a transceiver 17 thatallows the vibration detector to communicate with the server 16 over thecommunication network 14.

The vibration detector may be attached to a pipe in the pipe networkadjacent to a flow meter.

The system 2 further includes a service center 18 that that communicatesover the communication network 14 with the server 16, and through theserver 16, with the flow meters 4 and the vibration detectors 6. Theservice center 18 includes a processor 20 that processes data receivedfrom the flow meters and vibration detectors and analyzes the data forthe detection of a leak in the pipe network, as explained below. Datareceived at the service center, as well as the results of any processingor analysis of the data may be stored in a memory 22. When a leak isdetected in the pipeline, the processor 20 issues an alert. The alertmay be displayed on a display device, such as a CRT screen 24. The alertmay include the location in the pipe network of any detected leaks.

FIG. 1 b shows a system 2′ for leak detection in a pipe network, inaccordance with another embodiment of this aspect of the invention. Thesystem 2′ has several elements in common with the system 2 of FIG. 1 a,and similar components are indicated by the same reference numeral inFIGS. 1 a and 1 b, without further comment. The system 2′ comprises aplurality of devices 28 comprising a flow meter 30 integral with avibration detector 32 that may be assembled in a common housing. In analternative design, the the flow meter 30 and the vibration detector 32of the device 28 are in separate housings but share a commonmicroprocessor 13. Three devices 28 a, 2 bb, and 28 c, are shown in FIG.1 b. This is by way of example only, and the system 2′ may include anynumber of integrated units 28 that is at least two. Each device 28 alsoincludes a transceiver 34 that communicates with the server 16 over thecommunication network 14. In this embodiment, the flow meter 30 measuresthe flow at the same location in the pipe network where the associatedvibration detector detects vibrations.

In one embodiment, the communication network 14 is a wireless network,for example, using any known RF protocol, such as Hubs or Cellular,Ethernet or TCP-IP. The communication can be one way from each vibrationdetector 6, flow meter 10 or integrated device 10 to the server 16.Alternatively, the communication between each vibration detector 6, flowmeter 10 or integrated device 10 to the server 16 is two-way. Forexample, the server 16 may transmit data to the sensors in ordersynchronize the clocks of the vibration detectors or flow meters, or maysend commands or set parameter values of the meters and detectors.

The vibration detector 6 or 32 when attached to a pipe in the pipenetwork, detects pipe vibrations or acoustic waves in the fluidgenerated by a leak and arriving through the network to the detector.The vibration sensor signal is amplified, converted to a digital signal,for example, at a sampling rate of 5 kHz and a dynamic range of 12 bit.Typical vibrations at frequencies above 500 hz in metal water pipesrange from between 10⁻⁴−10⁻³ m/sec² in the absence of a leak to about10⁻³−10⁻² m/sec² in the presence of a leak. The typical frequenciesgenerated by small leaks are about 1-8 kHz, but the high frequenciesundergo larger attenuation than low frequencies thus a sampling rate of5 kHz with a low pass filter of 2 kHz can provide an adequate signal forleak detection. For plastic water pipes the frequencies are lower, inthe range of 10-200 Hz, and the vibrations have a lower amplitude.Therefore for a plastic pipe, the sampling rate should be around 600samples per second and a low pass filter. When some of the pipes aremade of plastics such as PVC or PU, the server can configure the sensormodules to measure vibration at a higher sensitivity and in a lowerfrequency band.

The microprocessor associated with the flow meters and vibrationdetectors may be, for example, a CC430 microprocessor from TexasInstruments having integrated ADC and RF circuits. The microprocessormay have an internal clock in which case the microprocessor may beconfigured to activate the flow meters and vibration detectors atpredetermined times. The signals of the vibration detectors and the flowmeters are input to the microprocessor. In the case of the integrateddevice 28, the vibration detector signal and the flow meter signal maybe input into the processor 33 via separate digital channels or viamultiplexer (not shown). The microprocessor digitizes the signals. Themicroprocessor may transmit the raw data signals to the service centerfor processing. The microprocessor may preprocess the signals, andtransmit the results of the preprocessing to the service center. Thepreprocessing may include filtering noise from the signal. Theprocessing may include calculating a flow rate from the signalsgenerated by the flow meters. The processing may include calculating aFourier transform of the signals generated by the vibration detectorsand performing a peak search or power estimation in the Fouriertransform. Processing of the vibration signals may use AR or LPCmodeling of the signal spectra that is phase preserving. Signal modelingin a particular frequency band can be effective since pipes havecharacteristic frequency bands in which they transmit vibrationseffectively. The frequency band can be predetermined when the system iscalibrated or by raw signal analysis at the server by coherenceanalyses. In another embodiment, the vibration power or amplitude inpipes due to the leak is determined is by the microprocessor and thedetermined power or amplitude is transmitted to the server. The powerestimation is done by filtering the vibration signal using analogcircuits or a microprocessor and calculating the average power of thesignal in a predetermined time window, typically of about 0.5 sec. Theestimated power is a number that can be easily stored and transmitted tothe server with low battery power consumption.

The data may be transmitted from the device to the service center 18 onthe fly, or alternatively, the microprocessor may store data in a memory(not shown), and transmit the data to the service center 18 atpredetermined times. Each flow meter 4 and each vibration detector 6 inthe system 2, or each integrated device 28 in the system 2′ has an IDnumber that is transmitted to the service center with the data.

FIG. 2 shows the system 2′of FIG. 1 b deployed on a pipe network. Anunderground pipe 40 that is part of the pipe network conducts a fluidsuch as water or gas from a source (not shown in FIG. 2) to each of aplurality of buildings 42. Each of the buildings 42 is provided with anindividual feeder line 44 that conducts the fluid from the undergroundpipe 40 to the building. On each feeder line 44 a device 28 is deployed.The feeder line 44 is connected to the input port 10 of the flow meter30 of the device 28. Fluid exits the device 28 at the output port 8 ofthe flow meter 30 of the device 30 at the in port 10 of the device 28and then enters the building. Each deployed device 28 measures flow ofthe fluid through the device 28, and also detects vibrations in thefeeder pipe 44 to which the device 28 is attached. Data collected byeach device 28 are transmitted to the service center 18, as explainedabove.

Activation of the flow meters and vibration detectors and transmissionof data between the devices and the service at predetermined timesallows a significant reduction in the power requirements of the system.The system can be maintained be in a stand-by (sleep) mode and woken upon schedule to perform tasks and then returned to the sleep mode untilthe next scheduled activation. When a leak occurs in the pipe network,vibrations are generated in the fluid emanating from the leak location.Vibration detection is typically performed only a few times a day orweek, preferably at night when the flow is minimal. In one embodiment,vibration detection is performed when the flow rate is minimal. Thevibration recording can be 0.5-1 second for estimation of vibrationpower, while a longer recording time in the order of 2-10 seconds mightbe preferred for correlating the signals for leak location.

The service center 18 receives the signals from all of the flow metersand vibration detectors in the system. The processor 20 of the servicecenter executes an artifact detection and rejection algorithm based onflow estimation in proximity to the locations where vibrations weredetected. The vibration power detected by each vibration detector in thesystem, or the power in a predetermined frequency band, may be indicatedon a map of the pipe network and displayed on the display. The frequencyband may be selected according to the material of the pipes in thepipeline. The vibration power may be indicated as color code to draw auser's attention to vibration detectors reporting unusually high. Trendsin the vibration power and the flow rates can also be displayed. If thevalue at a particular sensor exceeds the threshold or significantlyincreases relative to a previous value recorded by the detector, thiscould be indicated on the display. Trends in the vibration power and theflow rates at specific places with increased vibration power can bepresented to the operator.

In addition, the processor 20 of the service center processes thereceived signals for the detection and location of leaks in the pipenetwork. In accordance with the invention, the processing uses flow dataobtained from the flow meters to reduce vibration measurement artifacts.This allows vibrations due to an inappropriate leak to be distinguishedfrom vibrations due to the flow of fluid that occurs during normalconsumption.

FIG. 3 a shows a flow chart for a process 51 for detecting andlocalizing leaks in a pipeline network in accordance with one embodimentof the invention. In step 53 simultaneous recording of flow signals andvibration signals is carried out. The trigger for recording the signalsmay originate from the server which activates the flow meters andvibration detectors at predetermined times, under predeterminedcircumstances. Alternatively, a vibration detector detecting anexceptional vibration may issue a trigger for simultaneous recording ofthe flow signals and the vibrations signals. As yet another alternative,the flow meters and vibration detectors may receive a signal from acommon clock, such as from a geopositioning system (GPS) or a cellularnetwork, and simultaneous recording of the flow signals and thevibration signals occurs at predetermined times. In another embodiment,a roaming vehicle generates a series of synchronization signals andcollects the recorded signals and transmits the signals to the server.In step 55, it is determined whether there are any significant flowrates that may introduce an artifact into the leak detection. Asignificant flow rate may be, for example, consumption by a user abovecertain value that can introduce significant vibration into the networksimilar to the vibration caused by a leak. If yes, the process returnsto step 53 with the recording of the flow and vibration signals. If no,the process proceeds to step 57 where a leak detection and locationalgorithm is executed on the recorded signals. If a leak is detected andlocated, then in step 59 an alert is issued and the process returns tostep 53.

FIG. 3 b shows a flow chart for a process 50 for detecting andlocalizing leaks in a pipeline network in accordance with anotherembodiment of this aspect of the invention. The process 50 begins withthe monitoring of vibration signals generated by vibration detectorsdeployed at various locations in the network. Monitoring of thevibration signals may be periodic, for example, at one or morepredetermined times over a 24 hour period. In step 54, when vibrationssignals have been obtained, the signals are analyzed to determinewhether any of the vibration signals indicated exceptional vibrations inthe network. An exceptional vibration may be, for example, a vibrationwhose amplitude or power exceeds a predetermined threshold, or avibration whose amplitude or power has increased over a recent timeperiod by a predetermined factor. If no exception vibration signals aredetected, the process returns to step 52 and the monitoring of thevibration signals continues. If in step 54 it is determined thatexceptional vibration signals have been detected, then the processcontinues with 56 where vibration signals from at least some of thevibration detectors and some of the flow rate signals from the flowdetectors are monitored synchronously. The inaccuracy of the timing ofthe synchronous recording of the vibration is preferable be less than 1ms, as a delay of every 1 ms in the timing of the readings can introducean error in the leak location of about 1.2 meters. The process thencontinues with step 58 where it is determined whether there are anysignificant flow rates in the pipeline. The flow rate estimation isbased on the reading of the water flow meters in the area where thevibration is detected. If yes, then there is a great chance for a falsepositive (a flow due to consumption being interpreted as a leak) so thatreliable leak detection or location is not possible, and the processreturns to step 52 with the continuation of the monitoring and recordingof the vibration signals. If at step 58 it is determined that there isno significant flow in the pipeline, the process continues to step 60where a leak detection and location algorithm is executed which analyzesthe vibration signals in order to locate leaks in the pipeline. Afterleak detection and location, an alert is issued (step 62). The alert mayan audible or visual signal. The alert may involve indicating thelocation of the leak on a map of the pipeline displayed on the display24, whereupon the process returns to step 52 and the monitoring of thevibration signals continues.

The leak detection and location algorithm executed in step 60 of theprocess 50 is based on the arrival times of vibrations at the variousvibration detectors, together with the pipe network configuration, andthe speed of propagation of the vibrations. Vibrations arrive at eachvibration detector with a time lag proportional to the distance of thedetector from the leak (the origin of the vibrations). The velocity ofvibrations in pipes is around 1250 m/s. A precision of around 2 metersin the location of the leak is usually satisfactory.

The leak detection and location algorithm may involve, for example,calculation of the cross-spectrum (coherence) of pairs of signals andidentifying the optimal filter that corresponds to the maxima of thecoherence of the two signals. Alternatively, pairs of signals may befiltered in a maximal coherence spectral band, and calculating the crosscorrelation of the filtered signals. Another method uses finding thecorrelation maxima. When the correlation exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, the leak position can be determined from the time of thecorrelation or cross-cepstrum maxima times the sound velocity in thepipes.

In another embodiment, the leakage detection and location is based onflow metering and vibration power in a particular frequency band that ismeasured by each vibration sensor, either synchronously or notsynchronously. The advantage of this method is the ability to transmit asmall data volume over one way communication link. The power estimationis done at certain times at night, by recording and filtering thevibration signal using analog circuits or microprocessor and calculatingthe average power of the signal in a predetermined time window,typically of about 0.5 sec. The measured vibration power and the flowvalue is sent to the server over the communication network with a sensoridentifier (ID) and time stamp. Each sensor is associated with thegeographical position according to its installation. The first step isartifact rejection using flow meter data. For each vibration measurementthe flow rate in the radius of 100-200 meters is estimated based on theflow meter data. If the flow is larger than a defined threshold thevibration data for the specific measurement is labeled as unreliable.The flow threshold is calculated for each area based on the statisticsof the night flow. Reliable vibration measurements are added to the listof measurements that is currently updated. The second step iscalculating the average (or 5-30 quantile) vibration power of thereliable measurements for every sensor in a time window of 1-5 days inorder to reduce measurement noise. The leak detection is performed byfinding a maximum of the averaged vibration power that is above certainthreshold. The threshold can be a predetermined value or calculatedadaptively for each area and time of the year using statistics e.g.three times the standard deviation of the vibration power of the sensorsin an area of about 50 sensors. The maximum value and position can beoptimized using fitting of the two-dimensional function of vibrationpower P(x,y), where x-y are geographical coordinates. The fitting can beperformed by a spline function. Another method for location of the leakmore precisely between the vibration sensors is solving an inverseproblem of finding a vibration source using the data of vibrationsensors at specific points. This method uses the pipe geometry andattenuation coefficients of the acoustic waves in the specific pipes aswell as reflection coefficients in the pipe joints.

FIG. 4 shows an integrated device 70 comprising a flow meter and avibration detector that may be used for the device 28 in the system 2′shown in FIG. 1 b, in accordance with one embodiment of this aspect ofthe invention. The integrated device 70 comprises a wet chamber 72through which a fluid flows between an inlet port 74 and an outlet port76. Flow of a fluid through the wet chamber causes a vane 78 to rotateabout an axis 80. Rotation of the axis 80 drives rotation of a magnet82, so that rotation of the vane 78 is coupled to rotation of the magnet82. The integrated device 70 further comprises a dry chamber 84. The drychamber 84 is separated from the wet chamber by a space filled with anacoustically coupling layer 86 that conducts vibrations from the wetchamber 82 to a piezo membrane 88 placed at the bottom of the drychamber 84. The acoustically coupling material may be, for example,silicone rubber. The acoustic coupling material may be compressible toallow easy attachment of the dry chamber to the wet chamber A magnet 90located in the dry chamber rotates about an axis 92 when driven by therotation of the magnet 82 in the wet chamber 72. Thus, rotation of thevane 78 is coupled to rotation of the magnet 92. Rotation of the magnet90 generates a signal that can be calibrated with the flow rate in thewet chamber 72. The signal may be an electrical signal generated in awire coil 94 or an optical signal (not shown). The piezo membrane 88generates an electric signal that can be calibrated with vibrations inthe membrane 88, and may be, for example, a polarized PVDF film or piezoceramic material such PZT. An amplification and processing unit 96receives the signals generated by the magnet 92 and the piezo membrane88. The processing unit 96 includes a microprocessor and a transceiver(not shown) and an antenna 98, as explained above with reference to thedevice 28 shown in FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 5 shows an integrated device 100 comprising a flow meter and avibration detector that may be used for the device 28 in the system 2′shown in FIG. 1 b, in accordance with another embodiment of this aspectof the invention. The integrated device 100 has several components incommon with the integrated device 70 shown in FIG. 4, and similarcomponents are indicated by the same reference numerals without furthercomment. In the device 100, the interface between the wet chamber 72 andthe dry chamber 84 has the shape of an inverted truncated cone. A space102 in the interface contains an acoustically coupling material 104. Anopening in the truncated conical surface of the dry chamber is coveredwith a flexible membrane 108. A magnet 110 extends from the flexiblemembrane 108 into the dry chamber 84. Rotation of the magnet 110 iscoupled to the rotation of the magnet 82 as explained above withreference to the magnet 90 of the integrated device 70 shown in FIG. 4.Rotation of the magnet 110 thus generates a signal that can becalibrated with the flow rate of fluid in the wet chamber 72. The magnet110 is surrounded by a cylindrical coupler 106 that conducts vibrationsfrom the acoustically coupling material 104 to a piezo membrane 112. Thepiezo membrane 112 generates a signal that can be calibrated withvibrations in the membrane 112. The membrane 112 has an annular shapeand surrounds the magnet 110. In another embodiment, the truncatedconical surface of the dry chamber is corrugated to conduct vibrationsfrom the acoustically coupling material to the piezo membrane insteadof, or in addition to, the the cylinder 106.

In other embodiments, flow detection utilizes an optic sensor thatmeasures rotor revolutions, or ultrasound sensors that are used tomeasure transit time or Doppler shift that can be calibrated with flowrate.

In some embodiments of the integrated device, flow rate metering andvibration detection is performed using a common ultrasound transducer.The ultrasound transducer has a flow metering mode of operation in whichthe ultrasound transducer measures transmitted ultrasound waves forphase shift or frequency shift that is caused by liquid or gas flow andgenerates a signal that can be calibrated with the flow rate. In thismode, only transmitted frequencies are used and all the otherfrequencies are filtered out. The ultrasound transducer also has avibration detection mode in which the ultrasound transducer measures lowfrequencies and generates a signal that can be calibrated with thevibrations.

The processor may also be configured to analyze the flow meter signalsand vibration detection signals to detect a malfunctioning flow meter.This can be done, for example, by trend analysis of the vibrations andflow reading, for example, by comparing the vibration signal power inone or several frequency bands, to the flow rates. For example, if therotor of a flow meter is stuck or is slowed by an external magnet, theflow becomes more turbulent and creates more vibrations than duringnormal operation. By detecting the increased vibrations of a flow meterat different flow rates, the server can issue an alarm for malfunctionof the flow meter.

Experiments were carried out to compare vibration detection by anintegrated device of the invention comprising a flow meter and avibration detector with vibration detection by a vibration detectorindependent of a flow meter. The integrated device of the invention wasconstructed by fitting a piezo membrane to a flat register in a bronzeBadger™ water meter. A Wilcoxon™ accelerometer 728 a (sensitivity 500mv/g) was used as the independent vibration detector. Both theintegrated device and the independent vibration detector were mounted ona pipe. Vibrations in the pipe were induced by opening a tap. FIG. 6 ashows the vibration detected by the independent vibration detector, andFIG. 6 b shows the vibrations detected simultaneously by the integrateddevice when mounted on a metal pipe. FIG. 6 c shows the Fouriertransform of the signal in FIG. 6 a (120) and the signal shown in FIG. 6b (122). FIG. 7 shows results of vibration detection by the samedetectors when mounted on a plastic pipe. FIG. 7 a shows the vibrationdetected by the independent vibration detector, and FIG. 7 b shows thevibrations detected simultaneously by the integrated device when mountedon a metal pipe. FIG. 7 c shows the Fourier transform of the signal inFIG. 7 a (124) and the signal shown in FIG. 7 b (126). The results showthat the integrated device has a greater sensitivity, particularly atlow frequencies, which includes the frequencies of interest in leakdetection.

1. An integrated flow and vibration device comprising: a wet chambercomprising a flow meter configured to generate a flow signal; a drychamber comprising a vibration sensor configured to generate a vibrationsignal from vibrations generated by a leak; an interface between the wetchamber and the dry chamber comprising an acoustically coupling materialconfigured to conduct vibrations from the wet chamber to the vibrationsensor of the dry chamber; and a processor configured to receive andprocess the flow signal and the vibration signal.
 2. The device of claim1, further comprising an antenna, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to transmit using the antenna a processed signal based onprocessing the flow signal and the vibration signal.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the vibration sensor of the dry chamber is provided ata bottom of the dry chamber in contact with the acoustically couplingmaterial.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is in theshape of a disk.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is inthe shape of a cone.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the cone has abase end directed towards the dry chamber and a pointed end directedtowards the wet chamber.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the flowmeter comprises a vane that rotates when driven by fluid flowing throughthe wet chamber.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the rotation of thevane causes a rotation of a first magnet in the wet chamber.
 9. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein the rotation of the first magnet in the wetchamber causes a rotation of a second magnet in the dry chamber.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the rotation of the second magnet in the drychamber causes generation of the flow signal.
 11. The device of claim10, wherein the flow signal is generated using a wire coil in the drychamber.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the acoustically couplingmaterial is silicone rubber.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein thevibration sensor comprises a piezo membrane.
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein the piezo membrane comprises at least one of: PVDF film and apiezo ceramic material.